Election authorities extended polling by an additional hour on Monday across 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. A total of 296 candidates, representing parties such as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and independents, are competing in these elections.
The electorate consists of 1,401,439 registered voters across the Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber districts, with 725,118 male and 675,628 female voters eligible to cast their ballots. To facilitate voting, 2,454 polling stations have been set up throughout Mirpur Division, including 597 in four constituencies of Mirpur district, 1,107 in six constituencies of Kotli district, and 608 in three constituencies of Bhimber district.
Comprehensive security arrangements have been implemented to ensure a smooth electoral process. In a significant development, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that legal action would be pursued against anyone attempting to disrupt voting activities. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan expressed confidence in the democratic process, stating that the people of Azad Kashmir have rejected disruptive elements. He emphasized that all state institutions are fully prepared to maintain peace during the elections and cautioned that anyone obstructing the process or disturbing public order would face legal consequences.
However, a tragic incident occurred at a polling station in LA-9 Kotli-II Nakyal, where one person was killed and three others injured in a shooting. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kamran Ali confirmed the fatality, and police suspended polling at the affected station following the event. The deceased was identified as Mukhtar Younis, a PPP party worker, whose body was transferred to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss and extended condolences to the family. He alleged that the shooting was carried out by supporters of PML-N candidate Umair Niazi.
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman condemned the PML-N for allegedly attempting to create controversy in the elections out of fear of defeat. She highlighted the long-standing relationship between the PPP and the Kashmiri people and questioned why the PML-N opposed voters choosing the PPP, accusing them of trying to undermine the public mandate through unfair tactics. Rehman maintained that despite these attempts, the PPP would emerge victorious.
PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri described the party’s election symbol, the arrow, as a beacon of hope for the people of Mirpur, noting the silence among rival parties ahead of the vote. In a video message alongside his sister Asifa Bhutto-Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged voters to participate actively and cast their ballots to determine Kashmir’s future, appealing specifically to stamp the PPP’s arrow symbol to secure electoral success.
Separately, senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan voiced concerns over alleged federal interference and misuse of official resources in the elections. He called for the polls to be conducted freely, fairly, and transparently, urging the federal government and its apparatus to avoid any interference in the electoral process.
In LA-6 Bhimber, clashes erupted between workers of two political parties at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station. PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry accused rival party workers of initiating the conflict and claimed that IPP workers caused disturbances at Polling Station No. 95. Polling was suspended at both locations following these incidents.
The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed reports of the clash and stated that miscreants had snatched a ballot box containing 232 votes and set it on fire. Despite the presence of the returning officer and security personnel, legal action will be taken against those responsible. The DRO added that a decision regarding re-polling at the affected station would be made later, while the situation at other polling stations remained normal. Additionally, former prime minister Anwarul Haq lodged a complaint concerning LA-7. The DRO personally visited the relevant polling stations, where Anwarul Haq’s polling agents were also present.
